Report: England MU17s 3-2 Slovenia

Following on from a determined performance to beat Israel in midweek, England men's under-17s extended their unbeaten run against Slovenia on Saturday afternoon in an enticing five goal thriller

And it was a result which secured the Young Lions' place at this year's UEFA U17 EURO, hosted by Albania in May, and the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar, which will take place in November.

Freddie Simmonds was first to find the net for the Young Lions before Ryan McAidoo doubled their advantage and despite being pegged back by two goals from Slovenia, Alejandro Rodriguez got England’s third and final goal.

The result rises them to the summit of Group A7, in their quest for EURO qualification to this summer's Finals in Albania as well as the FIFA U17 World Cup later this year.

The Young Lions burst out of the blocks and broke the deadlock in the early exchanges. Max Dowman’s teasing cross perfectly found the head of Simmonds, who nodded England in front. Despite being a young side, England showed maturity and ruthlessness in front of goal and doubled their lead minutes later.

After a darting run from Seth Ridgeon, he laid the ball off to McAidoo and his curled effort found the bottom corner.

The visitors proved their worth however, as Slovenia reduced the deficit when Kristjan Kozar found the bottom corner to make it 2-1 at the break.

England’s Rodriguez continued to be a threat to the visitor's defence and he presented a chance for Rio Ngumoha to get his name on the scoresheet, but his effort was blocked.

After the interval, Young Lions' 'keeper Jack Porter was called into the action, when Kozar stung the palms of the goalkeeper.

Dowman was the driving force of majority of England's attacks, and despite a flurry of chances, Neil Ryan’s side failed to find the net for a third time.

The control never left sight of England however, who controlled the possession of the ball for long periods of the game as they encountered further opportunities.

But England were pegged back 15 minutes before full time, when Denis Videnovic’s strike found the bottom corner to level the game.

The Young Lions showed their character to bounce back from that though, as Rodriguez netted his third goal in two games when he gave England the lead when he beat four players inside the area before wrongfooting 'keeper Tanej Handanovic.

And that goal from the Lyon forward proved to be the important one, as England held on to earn three points.

England: 1 Jack Porter (Arsenal), 2 Dante Headley (Manchester City), 5 Kaden Brathwaite (Manchester City), 6 Malachi Hardy (Tottenham Hotspur), 8 Louis Page (Leicester City), 9 Alejandro Rodriguez (Olympique Lyyonnais), 10 Max Dowman (Arsenal), 11 Rio Nghumoha (Liverpool), 12 Freddie Simmonds (Brighton & Hove Albion), 16 Seth Ridgeon (Fulham), 17 Ryan McAidoo (Manchester City).

Substitutions: 7 Harry Howell (Brighton & Hove Albion) for Rio Ngumoha, 20 Bradley Burrowes (Aston Villa) for Ryan McAidoo, 19 Finlay Gorman (Manchester City) for Max Dowman 64’, 15 Jun’Ai Byfield (Tottenham Hotspur) for Freddie Simmonds, Reigan Heskey (Manchester City) for Alejandro Rodriguez 84’.

Substitutes not used: 13 Lanre Awesu (West Ham United), 3 Dean Benamar (Crystal Palace), 4 Chinazaekpere Nwosu (West Ham United).

Head coach: Neil Ryan

Goals: Simmonds 3’, McAidoo 10’, Rodriguez 83’